Opportunity awaits FC Dallas in Portland

Having routed Portland 5-0 just two weeks ago, FC Dallas head to the Rose City for Sunday’s rematch with Portland (6 p.m. CT, NBC Sports Network) with a full understanding of what could be awaiting them.

“Obviously they just got humiliated here, as their coach said [after the game],” Schellas Hyndman said. “They’ve got a lot of pride. It takes a lot to get to the professional level and all of a sudden you got beat by five, so they’re going to be extremely angry. They can’t wait to see us.”

After ripping apart a low-pressure style from Portland, FCD were able to manage just one shot on goal in the 1-0 loss to the Galaxy last Saturday. Hyndman expects Portland to bring the same high-energy, high-pressure system on Sunday afternoon at JELD-WEN Field.

“I think we saw a lot of pressure from LA that we had trouble dealing with,” Hyndman said. “And I told the guys I think the pressure will be even greater [in Portland].”

With Sunday’s game as a chance to escape the triple-digit temperatures Dallas, Hyndman hopes the cooler temperatures are a chance to see the best out of his squad.

“It’s hard to get a good hour of training right now, so I think we’ll see our players step up to their best.”

Repeating the past

Sitting 11 points out of a playoff spot with 11 games to play, FC Dallas find themselves in a similar spot to 2009, needing to win and win now. They nearly pulled off the miracle three seasons ago, winning five of their last seven while falling just a point short of the playoffs.

Dallas will look for a similar streak starting this weekend with games coming up against Portland and Colorado, opponents who are 0-10-0 in their last 10 games.

“A lot of it is your run,” Hyndman said. “How well you’re playing in that last stretch. If we’re in a situation where we have 10 or 11 games left, it’s going to be pretty demanding to win seven or eight games.”